Combination ladder



Dec. 29, 1936. R. E. HEDGES 2,066,108

ION LA COMBINAT Filed July I m a Z K43 12 I? 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 29, 1936.

R. E. HEDGES 2,066,108"

COMBINATION LADDER- Filed July 16, 1955 2 She e ts-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 29, 1936 FATE r OFFICE COMBINATION LADDER Ross E. Hedges, Cadiz, Ohio, assignor of one-half to Henry Leroy Adams, Cadiz, Ohio Application July 16, 1935, Serial No. 31,681

' 2 Claims.

This invention relates toan improved combination ladder and seeks, among other objects, to provide a device of this character which may be used either as the usual stepladder or as-a 5 straight ladder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination ladder which may be changed from the stepladder type to the extension or straight type and vice versa, quickly and easily,

'19 and which will have means for retaining it against accidental displacement in either position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination ladder adapted for supporting a 1'5 detachable board which may be used for supporting a paint bucket, brushes or other articles conveniently for use by a workman on the ladder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination ladder employing means for bracing and supporting the steps and rungs employed.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide .a device of this character the construction of which will be characterized by the 25 utmost simplicity.

Other and incidental objects not specifically mentioned in the foregoing will render themselves apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

30 My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows my improved ladder folded to assume stepladder formation and showing the detachable board in position upon one of the 35 steps thereof.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the device as it would appear extended to form a straight ladder.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ladder extended and showing, in dotted lines, the extension portion folded.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View of the ladder, completely folded.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the detachable board mounted on one of the steps of the ladder.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the numeral I indicates, in general, a section of my improved ladder. This section is adapted for use in the manner of 55 a stepladder and comprises parallel side rails 2 which are connected by steps 3 having their ends rabbeted in oppositely presented grooves 4 in the side rails. It should be understood that any desired number of steps may be employed and that they may be spaced apart to suit individual needs. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, tie bolts 5 extend beneath the steps medially thereof throughout their length and provide reinforcement for said steps, danger of splitting or mutilation thereof being thus re- 10 duced to a minimum. Mounted on one of the steps 3 nearthe top of the ladder, and medially of said step, is a loop 6 which is adapted to receive the eye I of a relatively long locking hook 8, having a rung receiving portion or bill-9. The purpose of the hook will be described in detail hereinafter. Associated with the section I is a section II! comprising .side rails II which diverge slightly toward the free end of the section, the innerend 2' of said section being pivotally connected to .the section I by means of bolts I2 and the. corre'-. sponding ends of the rails II, extending past the bolts to define handles I3 for manual engagement when the device is being used as a stepladder. The corresponding free end portions of the rails are rounded, as shown at I4, and carried on said free end portions are U-shaped stop yokes I5 which are disposed toward each other and, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, are adapted to receive therein portions of the rails 2 when the device is being used as an extension ladder. Mounted on the rails II at equal distances from the pivots I2 and at opposite sides thereof from the stop yokes I5, are keepers I6, each of which comprise a pair of plates I! screwed or otherwise secured to the rails II. A U-shaped keeper strap I8 is carried shiftably in each of the keepers I6, as shown in detail in Figure 5. The shiftable straps I8 may be moved outwardly for permitting the rails II to overlie the rails 2 and thus allow the ladder to be folded to a completely closed position. The section II) may be positioned, as shown in Figure 1, to define a stepladder or may be swung to a straight angle of 180 with the section I for defining an extension ladder. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the device is used as an extension ladder the straps I8 will be shifted to engage corresponding opposite portions of the upper ends of the rails 2 and will thus retain the ladder in its extended position against displacement therefrom.

Rungs I 9, which are preferably circular in contour, extend between the rails ll of the section it and are retained on the outer faces of said rails by means of clamping straps 20 which are of a contour snugly to receive the end portions of the rungs. As many rungs as are necessary may be employed, this, of course, depending upon the length of the section. As will be Seen in Figure 1, the rungs are located on the outer edgefaces of the rails I I .so that said rungs provides. support for the section I when the same is swungto a closed position, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. the rails M will completely overlie the rails 2 so that the eifective depth of the ladder comprises only the depth of the'rails plus that of the rungs I9. A ladder requiring but a small amount of space for storage is thus provided. Also, a ladder constructed in the manner I have described is easy to handle and, therefore, renders itself .more effectual when the need for a light Weight ladder which is readily operable presents itself.

As shown in Figure 1, when the sections are arranged to provide a stepladder, said sections are locked in this position by the hook 8 which has its bill 9 engaged over one of the rungs l9. Spreading of the sections is thus prevented.

I Detachably connected with one of the steps 3 is a board 2]- adapted to support a bucket of paint, brushes, or any other desired articles. A pair of straps 22 are secured to the board 2| and are adapted to engage over the step 3 throughout its width and each of said straps is bent about the forward'edge of the board and projected therebeneath and slightly inclined downwardly, as-shown at 23. The straps 22 project'beyond the edge of the board 2| a distance substantially equal to the width of the step 3 so that, as shown in Figure 6, when the board is in operative position, the step will be confined between the inner edge'of the board and the bights or bent portions of the straps 22. It will .be seen that the board is effectually but readily removably connected with the step. As the steps When in this position,

are of uniform width it will be possible to place the board on any desired step.

It is thought that a reading of the foregoing description vwill render the construction and operation of my improved ladder clearly'understandable.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A device of the class described including a.

section having rails and steps. a Second section associated therewith and having rails and rungs.

-means pivotally connecting the sections, said able to permit swinging of the first section to within the confines of said second mentioned section.

2. In a device of the class described, a section having rails, a second section associated therewith and having rails, means pivotally connecting the sections, stop yokesvcarried by said second mentioned section, plates carried by the second mentioned section remote from the stop yokes and defining keepers, and keeper straps mounted inthe keepers, said keeper straps being shiftable in one direction for permitting the rails of the first mentioned section to overlie the rails of the second mentioned section in closed position, said shiftable straps being shiftable in the opposite direction to cooperate with the stop yokes and the first mentioned-section whereby said first and second mentioned sections may be retained in an open extended position.

ROSS E. HEDGES. 

